Mike Portnoy: Shattered Fortress ‘Is Not a New Band or Project, It Is an Event’

Mike Portnoy is a man of many bands, but he wants fans to know that Shattered Fortress is not one of them. It was recently revealed that Portnoy would be performing the "12 Step Suite" in its entirety at the 2017 ProgPower USA festival. When the lineup for the September 2017 event was released, Portnoy was billed as Mike Portnoy's Shattered Fortress.

To clear up some of the confusion, Portnoy offered several key points in a Facebook posting. "This is not 'a new band or project,'" stated the drummer. "It is 'an EVENT' that will be making several select live appearances in select markets throughout 2017."

The drummer also stated that he's keeping the identity of the musicians joining him for the special shows a secret until he debuts it during his 50th Birthday Concert on the Cruise to the Edge in February of 2017. "I want that to remain a surprise until our unveiling," says the drummer, who also reveals that the set list will consist of the "12 Step Suite" as well as other Dream Theater songs that he wrote while in the band.

He adds, "Keep in mind, I have no plans (or interest) in revisiting DT material in any of my other 'real' bands ... this is not an ongoing 'project' or career move ... this is merely a unique event that I am doing in select markets in 2017 to share with fans around the world ... so catch it while you can!!"

Portnoy penned the "12 Step Suite" about his battle with alcoholism, with the music spooling out over five pieces -- "The Glass Prison," "This Dying Soul," "The Root of All Evil," "Repentance" and "The Shattered Fortress."

Earlier this year, Portnoy issued an invite to his former Dream Theater bandmates to join him onstage at his birthday bash, but he also stated that the band had made it clear they had no intention of reuniting. “I wrote all five of these songs with the intention of them being performed from start to finish and I would have loved nothing more than to be doing it with Dream Theater. But it’s obviously not [in] the cards for them. I can’t sit around waiting for a reunion that may not happen,” stated the drummer, who continued, "That being said, all four Dream Theater guys have an open invitation to join me on the cruise. I would love nothing more than for them to be there with me.”

The 2017 Cruise to the Edge will take place Feb. 7-11, departing from Tampa, Fla. and visiting Cozumel, Mexico along the way. As for the ProgPower USA Festival, Mike Portnoy's Shattered Fortress is part of the Sept. 8, 2017 bill in Atlanta. Tickets for the festival go on sale via Ticketmaster on Oct. 1 at 10AM ET.

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